A former Metropolitan Police officer, Muhammed Mustafa Darr, was sentenced to 40 months in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to a series of offences including accessing and leaking confidential information, theft, and fraud using deceased individuals’ bank details.

Darr, 39, faced charges of misconduct in public office at Southwark Crown Court for offences committed between December 2018 and September 2020 while he was serving as a constable in a North London response unit. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) conducted an investigation into Darr’s actions, which revealed that he had repeatedly abused his position to access sensitive police records without proper authorization. This included looking up files related to a fraud investigation into himself and accessing the criminal records of family members and friends.

One of the most egregious incidents occurred in June 2020, when Darr stole a laptop and bag from an unlocked vehicle after his colleagues arrested the vehicle’s owner. The stolen items were later discovered during a search of Darr’s residence.

Investigations further uncovered that Darr used the bank details of two deceased individuals, whose deaths he had responded to, to purchase electronic goods worth hundreds of pounds.

IOPC Director Steve Noonan condemned Darr’s actions, stating, “Muhammed Darr was a corrupt officer and his offending, which spanned several years, was appalling.” Noonan emphasized the seriousness of Darr’s betrayal of public trust and the damage such behaviour causes to confidence in policing.

Darr resigned from the Metropolitan Police in February 2023, just before being charged.